Making a great impression on an official visit can lock up a scholarship for a young athlete, so it's important to arrive prepared. As you stroll up to campus, get ready for an onslaught of attention. Just because you aren't constantly talking to the head coach doesn't mean you aren't being watched and evaluated. It's common for coaches to ask their players and others what they thought of you, so be on your best behavior at all times.

Follow these four tips to get the most out of your next official visit.

Ask Questions

Be prepared to question coaches, athletes, other students and faculty in different ways. You will appreciate their different perspectives on the school and the athletic program. Ask coaches about the percentage of athletes who graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Ask teachers if they've worked with student-athletes who travel a lot for their sport and occasionally need special consideration for exams or papers.

Ask other athletes what they think of the coach. Most likely, you'll hear lots of superlatives. But someone could say, "Dude, don't come here. The coach is terrible and there are rumors he may get fired." This usually doesn't happen, but it's certainly good to be aware of things like this before you make a decision. Either way, you will learn more about the situation.

Stay in the Dorms

Your parents might be staying in a local hotel, but if you get the option, stay in a dorm room. That's where you should be, because when you get to college, you will probably live in a dorm for at least a year or two; and it's a good idea to get a taste of dorm life in advance.

Be Respectful to Everyone

Good coaches recruit more than just talented players. If you are cocky, they likely won't want to deal with you. Treat everyone with respect, from the dean of students to the water boy at practice and the workers in the cafeteria. This shows good character, a trait that coaches want their players to possess.

Don't be a Crazy Super Fan

You are an athlete, not a fan. Keep that in mind, and think of your visit as a business trip. Don't try to steal a game uniform because you love the team. Soon enough, you could be wearing that jersey on game day, not bragging about how you copped it from the team's locker room. Play it like a pro and give yourself the best chance to be recruited.

Jared Montz
- Jared Montz, a former pro soccer player and collegiate national champion, is the founder of CollegeRecruitingWebsite.com. His company works with competitive high school athletes in all sports; builds them personal websites, like YourName.com; and teaches them how to promote and network themselves co
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